Located in Aarhus, Denmark, Villa R is a minimalist, serene structure clad in zinc panels. "The objective was to create a house that brings the forest inside through large glass panels—and create an ever-changing seasonal backdrop for the interior living spaces," stated the architecture firm, C.F. Møller, of the 3,200-square-foot abode.

Seen from a distance, the farmhouse has a time-honored quality, though it’s still clearly a product of the 21st century.

The two wings of the addition are connected by a central “void space.” The glass walls visually draw the garden and greenery into the living space. Both East Coast transplants, the couple wanted to more easily take advantage of favorable gardening conditions in the mild Northern California climate. With this in mind, they used the renovation to bring the outdoors in, as well as encourage easy and direct exterior access for gardening.

The architect brought the solid walls of certain rooms down to 7’ 8”, filling the remaining 4’ 2” with glass. This defining feature allows sunlight penetrate deep into the core of the space. The clients say the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of sunsets race across the ceiling and white walls.

A Clear Advantage Modernists love glass, but large windows can be massive energy-wasters, letting in (and out) far too much heat to be sustainable. The windows at Green Orchard, from the British firm George Barnsdale, are sealed units (meaning no gaps between the panes of glass), double-glazed, and filled with argon gas for protection against both heat loss and gain.

With one side of the house closed off, views are directed through the glazed south and west facades to the grassy clearing beyond. "We planted tens of thousands of blue bells and lots of rhododendrons," Oostenbruggen says of the green space. "The setting developed over time."

The Trues host parties in the glass-walled structure, located steps from their vacation home, or they escape to it to catch some rays and read a book. Bill reclines on cushions hidden under the reclaimed-fir floorboards that are propped up with Sugatsune hinges.

Maybe the most enviable bunk in the house, the downstairs guest room has an unadulterated view out into the trees.

Architect Craig Steely has become fast friends with Russell-Clarke and Moolsintong. He hangs out in the kitchen and lives not far from the house.

Speaking to his original design, architect Saul Zaik says, “We were really just building boxes with a bunch of windows but experimenting with how you integrated indoor and outdoor spaces.” The house has seven different openings to the exterior, allowing different courtyard or patio settings for a range of outdoor activities, including seating for a gathering on the street-facing side. The Milfords hired Lilyvilla Gardens for the landscaping around the house, including variegated bluestone steps with thyme joints.

Dunbar and Astrakhan's low-cost, high-impact tour de force is a storefront facade constructed from salvaged double-insulated window glass panels arranged in a shingle pattern.

The revolutionary Bistro Citrus Juicer by Bodum is a juicer's dream—it sits higher than most juicers, its drip-stop keeps the juice from dripping all over your kitchen counter, and its cyclone function prevents the pulp from going awry. Made from plastic, silicone, and stainless steel. Comes in black, orange, red, and white with bonus Pavina Grip Glasses.

The addition of a glass wall in the center of the property further opens the interior space to the outside and allows for an additional source of natural light.

The positioning of the home’s roof allowed for a double-height, north-facing wall with four matching windows and an accompanying skylight. “The house refers to rural houses: a sloping roof, completely coated by stone and with no eaves,” Vanotti says.

Large double-hung windows, like this one from Loewen, help illuminate the home's three stories.

A custom staircase with wood risers is encased by glass panels. A wall of Henrybuilt's kitchen system adds storage to the hallway.

The curving glass and steel wall, designed by Deam and executed by Sand Studios, is a tour de force of engineering and design.

The glass-walled master suite opens to the surrounding forest and gardens and feels totally separate from the children’s and guest bedrooms upstairs.

Large windows by Alumilex and an operable Velux skylight—with built-in rain sensor to automatically close it in case of unexpected showers—flood the home with light. A glass wall surrounding the staircase reflects a chalk mural by artist Tyson Bodnarchuk.

Van Beek’s extra space is home to her office. She works on a Tense table by Piergiorgio and Michele Cazzaniga and Flow chairs by Jean Marie Massaud, both for MDF Italia.

He worked around existing oak and eucalyptus trees for the new building, and retained the vernacular of an original barn, at right, where Frankel hosts concerts. Check out MVRDV's Balancing Barn.

Tom Givone sits at a table of his own design, which he had fabricated from reclaimed wood by a local carpenter.

The Parisian flat that American-born architect Michael Herrman shares with his wife, Cécile, and their 2-year-old daughter, Rose, had been nearly untouched since the 1790s, when it was built. “But I wanted to try and reveal some of its age in a fresh new context,” Herrman said.

A close-up shot of the glass “spine.” Fenster placed the units four feet apart from each other to allow light into the home. The grated bridge continues through the home to the outside path, integrating the structure with its landscape.

The glass and wood walls of the bathhouse, like other retractable panels on the house, offer shade with a view.

Opaque, white masonry walls alternate with large glass expanses throughout to create a visual palette of shadow and light.

A telescope looks out upon the Saint Petersburg cityscape.

The master bedroom’s clerestory window provides morning light while allowing for privacy from the neighbors. The Siena bed is by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia, the side table is Room & Board, and the globe light is vintage. The windows are by Fleetwood and the doors by Bonelli.

Sometimes, it's the details—like new door knobs and hinges—that matter. Small T-shaped brushed nickel pulls are a modern choice in this kitchen with light wood cabinets and invisible hinges.

Though the daughter didn’t want all-glass walls, natural light and airflow were key. Levy and Connect:Homes fellow cofounder Gordon Stott used an LED system to offset light from windows and doors. Says Stott, “It’s about 150 watts to light the whole house.”

HEXAGON WALL TILES

The perimetral circulations became into interior corridors

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls help the house connect to the landscape and also offer a material contrast to the oak floors and concrete.

Detail of the windows in metal

In the master bath, the architect managed to combine privacy and a view by adding a horizontal-line pattern to the glass wall.

A glass wall, provided by Mitchell Glass, grants an immediate and visceral connection to the outdoors.